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Tri-State Outlook
by Duane Hancock
Less than 2 weeks and the racing season begins in
our region. YES!! Hopefully all of this late winter
snow is gone and we can get a good start to the
season. Many tracks around us have made many
improvements over the winter. Added or new seats, new
dirt, new lights, and other improvements for the
racers and fans. Does this mean sprint car racing is
booming in our area? I am not quite sure on that one.
It seems many local tracks are really watching what
they book this year due to the cost of a show and the
fight for the entertainment dollar. Also, there seems
to be some really good drivers sitting on the
sidelines, or in the hot seat, this season due to lack
of funding. I think the addition of Tony Stewart and
Kasey Kahne owning major sprint car teams has brought
some new interest to sprint car racing but, we need to
get more local fans in the stands too. I would like to
challenge EVERYONE to bring someone along to a sprint
car race this season that has never been to one or,
someone who hasn't been to one in years. We need to
make sure our local programs don't follow the trends
in other parts of this country and become a dyeing
breed. Many tracks have pumped big $$$ into
improvements this season and have increased the
payouts. So they will need good crowds to prove they
make the right decisions. Yes, the tracks are still
responsible for promoting their shows and running them
according but, word of mouth is still the best form of
advertising. Here's hoping to everyone 2007 is your
biggest and best season on record.
The 4Th annual HoserVille Ohio benefit auction will
take place March 24Th as part of the Northern Ohio
Sprint Car Show in Tiffin Ohio. The auction will take
place in the Tiffin Mall from 3 PM to 5 PM. As always,
several one of a kind items are on the auction block.
All items are racing related. Some items on this year
block includes: A Brian Paulus helmet, Byron Reed fuel
cell, an autographed Kevin Swindell 8 X 10 from his
1st ever USAC win, Dale Jr. stand-up, Tony Stewart
mini hood, Kelly Kinser wing side panel, Chad Blonde
autographed rock guard, an assortment of die cast
cars, James Mosher autographed drivers gloves, Daryn
Pittman autographed front wheel from closest WOO
finish in history, a "Night With The Team" with All
Star ROY contender Craig Mintz, and many many more
items. For more information check
www.hoservilleohio.com or e-mail 1duane@bright.net.
HoserVille Ohio has passed out over $7000 in the past
few years to sprint car drivers racing in Ohio. The
auction is their biggest fund raiser of the year and
allows them to continue in the aid injured drivers.
There is a new sprint car group in Michigan for the
2007 season. MTS, Michigan Traditional Sprints, has 7
dates booked at this time. MTS is a non-wing group
that is a spin off of the I-96 regulars from the 2006
season. I-96 decided to drop the regular non-wing show
in 07, so the drivers took action to keep racing. MTS
is a low-budget group of racers trying to keep cost
low and make a place for racers that don't have major
$$$ to keep in the sport. Some of their drivers didn't
even have a fuel injected engine last season. Plus,
some raced on the same set of tires all season. The
concept of this group is good but there is a few
problems. I totally agree there needs to be a regular
place for these guys to race and not spend big $$$.
The problem is, they are shooting themselves in the
foot at the same time. They are low balling the purse
way too much and not adding anything for operation
fees, insurance, points funds, travel money, anything
of that nature. Yes, I know the non-wing sprints in
Michigan on a regular basis is a new concept. Yes, I
know they want to book tracks and not cost the
promoter big $$$ since no one knows of them or many of
their drivers. Yes, I know their drivers are not big
budget teams and just want to race and have fun
without a bunch of heavy hitters coming in stealing
their money each week. The major problem is, they are
showing/selling to promoters they will race for little
to no money. The main reason the MTS formed was
because their drivers can't afford to travel all over
the country and get B or C Main money. They don't have
the equipment to compete on a regular basis with the
majority of the non-wing teams. At the same time, they
are selling that they will race for little money. By
low balling any other traveling series purse by 10 to
50 grand, is not good either. Yes, this group doesn't
need major $$$ to race on or put on a show but, what
happens if a driver wants to race more than 7 shows a
year. I guess my point is, the main focus of MTS is
they don't have the budget to run with the majority of
the regular non-wing teams. They get little to no
money when they do but, they are still racing for
little to no money, just closer to home. Really the
only difference is if they travel to Ohio or Indiana
they will make enough to cover a pit pass or 2. Now
they will race close to home and get 3 to 4 pit passes
covered. That is really the only difference. They can
stay closer to home but with a super low purse, will
still not make enough to cover the majority of the
expense for the night. Don't get me wrong, which if
you are a MTS driver or member you probably will, I
totally think that the low budget teams, like the guys
of the MTS, need a place they can race and be
competitive at. I think the MTS is a great concept!
The just of it is, you are selling yourselves and the
sport of sprint car racing too cheap! If promoters
think they can get a show for peanuts, that is all
they will ever pay for a sprint car race or never book
one again. Not trying to rain on your guys parade,
just stating some simple facts. Visit the MTS website
at www.mtsprints.homestead.com for more information on
the MTS series.
With the upcoming season you always look forward to
each and every race but there is always some each year
that stick out that you really want to get to. Of
course, the Doty Classic, The King's Royal, and the
other major races are always on the list. Other on my
list this season: an early April WOO show at Attica,
the All Star at Waynesfield and Hilltop since I have
never been to those 2 tracks, WOO or USAC at the West
Virgina Motor Speedway, never been there either, USAC
at Sharon, and any sprint and midget double header at
Kokomo or Gas City.
UPCOMING:
March 23-25Th Northern Ohio Sprint Car Show Tiffin OH
March 30 Attica opens
March 31 USAC Eldora
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